Interim Financial Information (Unaudited) (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues, net (including revenues, net from related parties of $5,578, $6,168 and $15,873, respectively)	$ 772,846	$ 696,875	$ 761,385	$ 740,823	$ 726,934	$ 648,023	$ 710,545	$ 720,189	$ 2,971,929	$ 2,805,691	$ 2,755,654
Operating expenses	(635,722)	(532,276)	(569,854)	(507,168)	(565,390)	(494,669)	(534,755)	(488,518)	(2,245,020)	(2,083,332)	(2,098,098)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	76,439	116,660	110,332	160,536	148,544	90,836	107,626	142,631	463,967	489,637	289,963
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders	$ 71,879	$ 111,257	$ 106,181	$ 156,870	$ 145,499	$ 87,002	$ 102,598	$ 136,217	$ 446,187	$ 471,316	$ 270,510
Basic	$ 1.27	$ 1.96	$ 1.84	$ 2.57	$ 2.36	$ 1.37	$ 1.55	$ 2.00	$ 7.68	$ 7.26	$ 3.77
Diluted	$ 1.24	$ 1.93	$ 1.82	$ 2.54	$ 2.33	$ 1.35	$ 1.54	$ 1.98	$ 7.57	$ 7.18	$ 3.74